Volume 53 / March 2013

PA RISH M ESSENGER
The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

Mystery that Unveiled Death

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our condence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (Hebrews 3:14-15)

MESSAGE FROM OUR VICAR

Apostle: A Man with a Message

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God (Rom 1:1) When Paul wrote the letter to the Romans, he was plausibly in Corinth on his third missionary journey. His work in the eastern Mediterranean was almost nished, and he greatly wanted to visit the church in Rome. At this time, however, he could not go to Rome, so he sent a letter there, intending to visit Rome while en route on a mission to Spain. 1. Apostle: Supervisor or Servant? For Paul, an apostle means a servant in the rst place, not an enticing title or a brand or a label or a privileged ofce. It is a responsibility and a life style. He understands his life and mission in relation to the life style of Jesus. It means that gospel of God shapes Pauls own thinking and attitude towards himself and to one another. He does not treat himself as a supervisor or as someone who boss over those who do the ministry of Jesus. Paul is called to be an apostle, not as an apostle, but as a servant (v.1). So, Paul has to become an apostle, through his servant ministry, and by the grace of God (v. 1, 5). In other words, when we forget our calling as servants, we cease to become apostles. As an apostolic church, let us identify ourselves as servants of Gods creation and the God of creation, not mistake our calling as a superior right to superintend the servant ministry and the servants of Jesus. 2. What is more important-Messenger or Message? Paul understands his apostolic calling as the messenger of the loving grace of God, manifested in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus (vv. 2-4). That is, an apostles message has the following contents: Jesus is the fulllment of Gods promises to his creation (v.2); Jesus is truly God and truly human (v.3, 4); Jesus is risen from dead (v. 4); it is because of the grace of God that those who believe in Jesus become apostles (v.5); all those believe in Jesus belong to Jesus (v.6); and, mission of bringing about the obedience of faith is distributed (v.5) among all those who are called to be the apostles. This shows that Paul is reminding the apostolic responsibility to his fellow apostles in Rome (v.5) and to himself (v.1). As an apostolic church, let us always remind ourselves about our common responsibility to share the common message. The message we share is more important than our role as messengers. May our good God bless you all, With prayerful regards, Mothy Achen

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

FROM OUR SECRETARY

Parish Updates
BY MR CHRISTY TOM A few reminders The one day camp organized by our Parish is on 16th March 2013 .Saturday . Please consider this as an opportunity to know & interact with each other . As we all know 50 Days Lent (Great Lent) started from 10th Feb 2013 . The 25 Days Lent starts from - 6th March 2013 Luke 4:1-4 says "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry." If we have not observed Lent yet , let us start from March 6th and prepare ourselves to rejoice at the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter. Let us set good examples for the younger generation .

May our good God bless you all, With prayerful regards, Christy Tom Secretary

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

CHURCH SERVICE & AREA ACOLYTES

Date 03 Mar 2013 (Malayalam) Theme Faith that transcends boundaries (4th Sunday in Lent) Worshipping Community: Agent of Redemption (5th Sunday in Lent) 1st Lesson Isaiah 45:1-13 2nd Lesson Acts of the Apostles 13:44-42 Acts of the Apostles 16:19-34 Epistle Galatians 3:23-29 Prayer Group Canning Vale

10 Mar 2013 (English)

Isaiah 6:1-8

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Willetton

17 Mar 2013 (Malayalam)

Kyrie Eleison - Prayer that Renews Life (6th Sunday)

Exodus 17:8-16

Acts of the Apostles 20:28-38 Colossians 1:15-23 Revelation 21:1-8 James 1:1-8 Acts of the Apostles 11:19-26 2 Timothy 4:9-18 Acts of the Apostles 8:25-40

Philippians 1:3-11

Murdoch

24 Mar 2013 (English)

Hosana- Messiah- The Prince of Peace

Zechariah 9:9-17 Isaiah 52:7-15

Philippians 2:5-11 1 Corinthians 15:1-19

Fremantle

Easter Sunday-End of 31 Mar 2013 Great Lent Resurrection: (English Service) Proclamation of Hope 07 Apr 2013 (Malayalam) 14 Apr 2013 (English) 21 Apr 2013 (Malayalam) 28 Apr 2013 (English)

Yuvajana Sakhyam

New Sunday-From Doubt Zephaniah to Faith 3:14-20 Genesis 5:18-24 Genesis 3:1-14 Numbers 11:23-30

1 Thessalonians Joondalup & North 1:3-12 of River Galasians 1:6-10 2 Timothy 1:12-17 1 Peter 5:1-11

Christ the Fellow traveller

Canning Vale

Good News to those who gone afar Lords Commission for ever

Willetton

Murdoch

Maramon Conventi on Songs: Maramom C o n v e n t io n son 2013 are a v a il a b le fo g s d o w n lo a d r fr o m o u r w e b s it e . T h e li n k is lo c a t e d u n Resource der s >> Mult imedia

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

NEWS FROM YOUR PARISH MINISTRIES

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP Youth Fellowship meets third Saturdays of every month at 04:30pm at the residence of a parish member. Encourage all youngsters of our parish to participate in the activities of the Youth Fellowship. For further details, please contact Mr Vitty Jacob (youth@perthmarthoma.org.au). SUNDAY SCHOOL Regular Sunday School on all Sundays before the Holy Communion Service. Contact: Mr Ninan Thomas or Mrs Babbin Mathews for further details (sunday-school@perthmarthoma.org.au). SEVIKA SANGHAM Sevika Sangham meets once every two month at the residence of a parish member. Encourage all women in our parish to participate in the activities of the Sevika Sangham. For further details, please contact Mrs Mary John (sevika@perthmarthoma.org.au). PARISH CHOIR Parish Choir meets for practice every Sunday after the Holy Communion Service at Murdoch Worship Centre. For further details please contact Mr. Ginsu Ninan (choir@perthmarthoma.org.au). SENIOR CITIZENS FELLOWSHIP Senior Citizens Fellowship meets fourth Saturdays of every month at 12:00pm at the residence of a parish member. For further details, please contact Mr Retnarajan. EDAVAKA MISSION Edavaka Mission meets at the residence of a parish member every month. INTERCESSORY PRAYER Edavaka Mission conducts intercessory prayer meeting on rst Friday of every month at 07:00pm at the residence of a parish member. Prayer requests can be deposited in the box kept at Murdoch Worship Centre during the services. Encourage all parish members to participate in the activities of the Edavaka Mission. For further details, please contact Mr Ninan Thomas.

CONDOLENCE
With heart felt sorrow we inform you the demise of Grand-Mother of Mr Binu Jacob (Joondalup Prayer Group) on Sunday 12th February 2013 in India. Mar Thoma Parish Perth expresses heart-felt condolence to the bereaved family members on the sad demise of their beloved one. May the Lord strengthen and comfort them with His abundant Peace.

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

AREA PRAYER GROUP MEETINGS

Area Prayer Group Canning Vale Fremantle Joondalup Murdoch North of River Willetton Date & Time 23rd March, 6:00PM 02nd March, 6:30PM TBA 10th March, 6:00PM TBA 09th March, 6:00PM Venue (residence of) Mr Shibu Jacob Mr Ninan Thomas TBA Mr Varghese Jacob TBA Mr Joseph Vaidyan Representative Contact Vicar Mr Anish Varghese Mr Binu Jacob Mr Shaji Mathews Mr Joji Varghese Mr Benny K David

FOR YOUR PRAYER

Pray for our Parish, Vicar and the members; Pray for all our Parish Organisations and for all their activities; Pray for our Sunday School kids and teachers; Pray for the upcoming Parish Camp 2013; Pray for this nation and its government; Pray for world peace and for all war torn countries; and Pray for the youth of our parish for them to have a blessed and God fearing future.

BIRTHDAY AND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

BIRTHDAYS MARCH 2013
Jeffy Koshy (6 March) Susan George Raja (9 March) Jubin Koshy (13 March) Prisha E Shibu (14 March) Ginsu Ninan (15 March) Anil George (20 March) Jaisel Varukunnel Mathews (March)
God Created You with his own hands; He Knows your name and your thoughts; He Blesses you with life, with love; And the joy of another year to know him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!! May the Almighty God continue to bless your family more and more in the coming years. May you be an inspiration and example for others in the days to come. WISHING ALL THE CELEBRANTS HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!
www.perthmarthoma.org.au

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MARCH 2013

Shibu Jacob & Anita Mathews (5 March)

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

THOOLIKA
The rst Good Friday Service of Perth Marthoma Parish
BY MRS MARY JOHN

Remembering our humble beginnings and themilestones ofgrowth are opportunities to praise and thank God, for a young parish like ours. Memories of our rst Good Friday Service in April 2009 are still fresh in the mind.When our Parish committee decided to have the service on Good Friday morning-the only one in all passion week- I thought it was beyond our abilities. No achen,none very familiar with the Passion week prayers and Chants in Malayalam. We could not say how many would turn up leaving the congregation where they now worship , whether it is possible to have a kanji session following the long service and where it will be. However we proceeded. Kuruvilla Mathewbooked theMurdoch WorshipCentre (which we had not seen till that day) before he left for Easterholidays. Philsy and wife Susan familiarised us with the Malayalam Chants.( he got the tune thro' mobile phone from his dad in Tiruvella). He along with Vijay, the lay leader conducted the service. Wesang the Chants loud and prostrated. The choir sang few English and Malayalam hymns. Late Dr.Thomas Varghese gave a powerful message. C. J. John prononced the benediction.It was a beautiful service and all were happy. Sevika Sangham had taken over the kanji Project, researched and found out a bowl big enough to hold payar thoran, pappadam, kachiya moru and pickle with kanji. We gathered again in Piney Lakes with the food warmed up. A pick up van was there to hold and serve food,chairs and carpets to sit under the shady trees and our fellowship extended for another hour. As there was no otherGood Friday service in the traditional way those days, members from sister churches participated making the number about 50. It was a miracle that every thing went off very smoothly. Yes , nothing is impossible for the great God if we humbly submit ourselves and be willing to be used by Him for His glory.

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

EVENTS - MARCH 2013

WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Malayalam Service Holy Communion Service every rst and third Sundays at 09.30 am. English Service Holy Communion Service every second and fourth Sundays at 09.30 am and Divine Worship Service on other Sundays at 09.30 am. Special thanksgiving prayers will conducted for birthday and wedding anniversaries during the communion services. The Bible study, on the Gospel according to Mathew lead by our Vicar, starts at 08:00am every Sunday.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

SANDHYA NAMASKARAM - 25 and 26 March 2013 @ 7:30PM AT MURDOCH WORHSIP CENTER. 27 March Venue and timing to be conrmed. MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE - 28 March 2013 @ 7:30PM AT MURDOCH WORHSIP CENTER GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE - 29 March 2013 @ 8AM AT MURDOCH WORHSIP CENTER EASTER SERVICE - 31 March 2013 @ 7AM AT MURDOCH WORHSIP CENTER

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

LITTLE HANDS
QUIZ NO. 0004
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. On what were the Ten Commandments written? What did Jesus sleep in after he was born? What was man created from? What did Jesus do to each of the disciples during the Last Supper? To which city did God ask Jonah to take his message? Who was Davids father? Which of the gospel appears last in the Bible? What is the only sin that cannot be forgiven? How did David defeat Goliath? What did Josephs brothers do to get rid of him?

Please email your answers to admin@perthmarthoma.org.au. Please do so with your parents permission. (The winners and the answers will be published in the following months newsletter)

Winners of Quiz No. 0003 Shradha Mariam Shibu Congrats to all who participated.

Answers of Quiz No. 0003 1. Twelve (Luke 6:13) 2. Death (Rom 6:23) 3. Eve (Gen 4:1) 4. Shepherds (Luke 2:16) 5. Samson (Jdg 16:15) 6. Joseph (Matt 1:19) 7. Psalms (Ps 1:1-150:6) 8. Flood (Gen 7:7) 9. He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:3-11) 10. Pigs (Matt 8:32)

Inviting articles from our kids for this section. Please note all articles required to be published the following month must reach the Webmaster by email (admin@perthmarthoma.org.au) on or before 20th of the current month. Please restrict your passages to half a page or around 200-250 words.

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

LITTLE HANDS

DRAWING BY JORDAN CHRISTY AGE 4 YEARS

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

credits www.marthoma.in

118TH MARAMON CONVENTION 2013 - SNAPSHOTS

MESSENGER NOTES
Please feel free to drop in your comments and suggestions regarding our Parish Messenger at admin@perthmarthoma.org.au. We are looking for articles to be published in our monthly newsletter. Those who can write articles, poems, drawings (kids) please contact the Webmaster at admin@perthmarthoma.org.au. This is another opportunity to use our God given talents for the Glory of God.

THINGS TO NOTE
Sunday School Registration Form - Please remember to fill the enrollment form & send by email to sunday-school@perthmarthoma.org.au, or give the registration form to Babbin Bijoe (0413 812 078) / Neeta Sanju (0401 291 344)

PARISH BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS the Commonwealth bank

BSB 086 136 865 285 498 Account# -

preferred transaction mode is electronic transfer to the Parish account.

For more information, please contact Rev Mothy Varkey (Vicar) Mob: 0426 283 829 Landline: 08 6161 6797 email: vicar@perthmarthoma.org.au Mr Christy Tom (Secretary) Mob: 0431 479 134 email: secretary@perthmarthoma.org.au Webmaster email: admin@perthmarthoma.org.au

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth, P.O. Box 3104, Shelley, WA 6148
for private circulation only

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

www.perthmarthoma.org.au